Measuring intelligence

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

Is there a way of measuring intelligence of a 3-4 year old?

Not because I think my child is a genius or anything but because, for our school choice, it would be good to know... Basically do we put her on the 7+ path or not.

At 3 she can write legibly if I spell the words, read simple books (red book band) and do basic maths (think 3 + 5 type level), but none of that is particularly a sign of intelligence I think, just a sign of us and pre-school working with her on that stuff, and her enjoying it / be willing to sit and focus.

I'm nervous about 7+ pressure, any work we do with her now is gentle and at her own pace.

[Abitofaproblem]

Can you wait and see? The answer may become apparent with time.

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

That's the trouble. We need to decide on her school soon and can either go for a chilled school that goes all the way through or an academically pushy pre-prep which is associated with a very good school. I'm inclined to choose the former but not sure.

[Natsku]

Well DD had a psych evaluation when she was 5 that involved a cognitive ability assessment, that is probably suitable for a 4 year old too.

[blackdoggotmytongue]

Well, you can. But there isn’t really much point. We needed to test our almost 5yo (‘needed’ being an interesting term - we chose to, to provide evidence that she did not have a cognitive disability, as we were trying to emigrate to a country that would not admit people who could be seen as ‘a burden on the state’ ie those with disabilities. She is disabled, but not cognitively. We didn’t want them to assume she was, which would help our appeal to be considered.)
She was tested using the usual WISC testing battery (there is a version that psychs use for pre-schoolers, but they tested her using the school age tests as she tested out on the pre-school stuff). She had taught herself to read way before school.
I wouldn’t bother for general school stuff though. IQ tests are a blunt instrument and personality is a much greater indicator of success. My ‘least’ intelligent child is the hardest worker of the three and has consistently reached higher academically than either of the two who fall into ‘fuck those are high IQ scores’ camp, but who are also a - lazy as fuck, and b - easily distracted by other shinier knowledge and find schoolwork a total bore.
Incidentally, I find the term ‘work we do with her’ a tad alarming if your kid is Three. Have another couple. That will give you less time to worry about academic preparation for a toddler.

[justasking123]

What a silly question!

Why don't you choose whatever school you want and then see how it goes! You are clearly pushing for her quite a lot already, you know exactly what you want...

[Abitofaproblem]

I guess depending on how competitive the senior school is. If your DD is academic she can still take the 7+ from the chilled school?

[minipie]

Choose the school you think she will enjoy most.

Even the brightest child will get put off and not do very well if they are not happy.

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

I don't think it's a silly question to want DD to go to a school where she'd be happiest. And I'm not pushing her.

Yes, doing the 7+ from the chilled school is an option. Thanks

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

Oh and she's my youngest by the way.

[justasking123]

Wanting to know if you can measure the intelligence of a 3 year old IS a silly question!

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

Even if your DD is cognitively able, it doesn't mean the pushy school will be right.

It's more of a personality question really. Choose the school that you think fits her better character-wise.

[Lweji]

just a sign of us and pre-school working with her on that stuff, and her enjoying it / be willing to sit and focus.

The main question is why you and the pre-school are working with her on that stuff at 3 years of age.
If she's really capable and willing, she'll push you not "be willing to sit and focus".

DS also learnt at a young age to spell a beloved character to google clips to watch on the computer. It means nothing.

Just let her play.

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

So what questions should I be asking to help me decide whether DD can cope with the 7+ ?

I thought some measure of intelligence might be a relevant input although I accept she may be too young to tell. Hence my question to mn...

[minipie]

The point is that even if she is very bright that doesn't mean she'd enjoy the pushier school more. Some bright children get very anxious in a pressured school. Some bright children don't respond well if they aren't top of the class, and might "give up" or mess around. Some children will rebel if they are put in a fairly rigid school and would be much happier somewhere laid back at least for the first few years. However others will thrive on a pressured environment and might be bored somewhere that goes slowly on academics. You need to consider her whole personality (which is very hard to assess at 3)

[blue25]

IQ testing 3 year olds-just no!

[blackdoggotmytongue]

What questions have you asked for the older children you have? Or is which school to go to just a question peculiarly relevant to your youngest?
How have you endured the happiness of the others?

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

Semantics - by 'willing' I mean she enjoys it. And she plays a lot. Most of the time.

I didn't realise it was such a frowned upon thing to teach your DC these things. To repeat, there is no pressure or pushing...

[blackdoggotmytongue]

Ensured. Lol.
Or is your concern that you have made mistakes with school choices in the past with your other children, and so more about a generalized anxiety about fit?

[Lweji]

Why would you (they?) want to put her on the 7+ path to start with?

There should be clear justifications.

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

My eldest is at a boys school.

[Lweji]

I'm sure she enjoys it. But does she ask for it? Who is leading who?

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

She asks to read a reading book with me because I read a book with her brother. For example. Or she likes to sign birthday cards.

Honestly I'm completely comfortable with what we are doing at the moment. Just trying to make the right decision for School next year.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

Why not go straight to the school she would do 7+ for now? I can't think of any girls schools that start at 7 so presumably it has a pre-prep.

Then you will know within a few years if the environment suits. If necessary it would be easier to move from selective to the 'chilled' school than the other way round, no?

[blackdoggotmytongue]

So you put your son into an intellectually challenging environment as a matter of course, but for some reason are not sure if you should do the same for your daughter?
I still don’t really understand the difference and why testing is necessary for one child and not the other? Is there something worrying you about your dd? Surely you would just choose in the same way you did for your ds?
Testing at this age is usually reserved for children with disabilities.

[Ecureuil]

Did you worry about the same thing with your DS?
DD1 is just 4 and similarly to your DD can read, do basic maths etc. We’re applying for the local state school that we think will be the best for her. We thought about private school (and can afford it) but have some great state primaries nearby so decided against it.